I don’t know about you other local parents, but I can hardly believe that in just two and a half weeks, my baby goes back to school. He starts his last year at elementary school and prepares for his next four years in middle school. In some ways he still seems like such a tiny, needy boy, yet in others, he’s struggling for independence. I encourage him to be less dependent on me, but the things he wants to do by himself I’m not willing to give up and the things he wants me to do are things he’s perfectly capable of doing himself.

“Mommy, will you fix me something to drink?”

“No, you can do that yourself.”

Or

“What are you doing with that lighter?”

“Trying to light all the candles in the house by myself.”

One thing that I can say that is great about summer vacation and other school breaks is that as a Realtor, I have the flexibility to either work from my home or car or to take my kiddo with me to the office and on appointments. The bad thing about summer vacation and other school breaks is that I have the flexibility to either work from my home or car or to take my kiddo with me to the office and on appointments.

Don’t get me wrong. I love, love, love spending time with my baby. (Yes, he’s nine, but all you parents out there know what I’m talking about, right Daddy?) There is a need to recharge though as an adult. I’m a big fan of “me” time. I think without a little time to myself each day, I’m not recharging enough to be the best mom I can be. So while many parents out there may absolutely LOVE summer break, I’m not afraid to say that I do not. I like having the time while he is at school to take care of important things like making money, so that I can focus on time with him after school and in the evening. I’m a more productive worker and a more attentive mother that way. So while others are complaining about having such a short summer this year, I’m looking forward to July 29.

Get it while it lasts!

In the meantime, I’ve got the kiddo for a little over half the remaining summer days. He has play dates already scheduled, and I’m sure there will probably be a couple more sleepovers. We also go swimming at least once a week, so we will be soaking up some more Vitamin D, too. Of course, momma needs to make some bacon too, so perhaps he will help sell some houses. Or he may just sit back and play Minecraft and let me handle it myself.

He has always found my chosen profession to be pretty cool. I remember tucking him into bed one night and having a conversation that made my heart swell:

“Mommy, how old will you be when I’m an adult?”

“Well, technically you will be a grown up when you are 18, so I will be 52.”

“Will you still be selling houses then?”

“I sure hope I am. I plan to be.”

“Good. When I’m a grown up, I want you to sell me a house.”

I would obviously be thrilled to do that when he is 18. Realistically, however; I think he is much more likely to be ready to start his college education. Based on his apparent skill in designing houses, I would not be surprised to see him study architecture.

As previously mentioned, my junior assistant often accompanies me to show property or hold open houses. He loves to go through the house deciding which room would be his and pretending to set up the room. One particular Sunday afternoon last fall, I was representing a local builder in a spec home, and the bonus room over the garage became one little man’s dream space. He noticed, however, that if he needed to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, it meant going downstairs by himself, so he suggested there should at least be a toilet upstairs.

At a weekly meeting with the builders the following week, I shared this idea. Sure enough, they thought the idea was brilliant and decided to add a half to the blueprint of that floorplan. Assuming the kiddo would be over the moon about his idea being implemented, I told him later that day. His response? He shrugged and said, “OK.”

Kids. You certainly never know what to expect. It’s always a wild ride, and I love every minute of that ride with my copilot.

Moms and dads out there, I know you are quite familiar with many of the things I’ve said tonight or will in the future. Those expecting or even simply considering becoming parents, you are going to hear a lot of stories that will make you think twice about parenthood. Then again, you will hear even more making you wonder why you waited so long!

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About Maple Tree House

Twice-divorced, single mom of a vivacious 10-year-old boy I refer to as Rugrat in my blog. I write typically humorous posts about life and juggling time spent working as a realtor, being a mom, a daughter, a sister and a friend. I also plan to write and publish some fiction in the future and started my blog in an attempt to hone my writing skills.